Qwen3 1.7B (Non-reasoning)

Compact, Fast, and Costly for its Class

Qwen3 1.7B (Non-reasoning)

Qwen3 1.7B (Non-reasoning) offers a compelling blend of speed and above-average intelligence for its size, though its pricing structure demands careful consideration for cost-sensitive applications.

1.7B ParametersNon-ReasoningFast InferenceAbove Average IntelligenceHigh Output Cost32k ContextAlibaba Cloud

The Qwen3 1.7B (Non-reasoning) model, developed by Alibaba, positions itself as a compact yet powerful contender in the realm of language models. Designed for efficiency and speed, this variant excels in tasks that do not require complex multi-step reasoning, making it a strong candidate for applications demanding rapid, factual, or creative text generation. Its relatively small parameter count of 1.7 billion belies its performance, often outperforming models in its class in terms of raw speed and demonstrating a notable level of intelligence for its size.

Benchmarked on Alibaba Cloud, Qwen3 1.7B showcases impressive operational metrics. It achieves a median output speed of 114 tokens per second, significantly faster than the average for comparable models, ensuring quick response times for user-facing applications. Its latency, or time to first token (TTFT), stands at 1.12 seconds, which is a respectable figure for cloud-deployed models. This combination of speed and low latency makes it particularly well-suited for interactive experiences where responsiveness is paramount.

In terms of intelligence, Qwen3 1.7B scores 14 on the Artificial Analysis Intelligence Index, placing it above the average of 13 for its peer group. This indicates a solid capability in understanding and generating relevant, coherent text, even without explicit reasoning capabilities. While it may not tackle intricate logical puzzles, it handles a broad spectrum of general knowledge, summarization, and creative writing tasks with competence. Its 32,000-token context window further enhances its utility, allowing for the processing of substantial input prompts and generating longer, more detailed outputs when required.

However, the model's pricing structure presents a critical consideration. With an input token price of $0.11 per 1M tokens and an output token price of $0.42 per 1M tokens, Qwen3 1.7B is positioned as quite expensive, especially for its output. The blended price of $0.19 per 1M tokens (based on a 3:1 input-to-output ratio) can be misleading, as real-world applications often have varying token ratios. This cost profile suggests that while the model delivers on performance, its economic viability hinges on careful optimization of token usage, particularly for applications with high output volume.

Overall, Qwen3 1.7B (Non-reasoning) is a high-performance, open-licensed model from Alibaba, offering a compelling balance of speed and intelligence for non-reasoning tasks. Its strengths lie in rapid text generation and handling substantial context, making it ideal for scenarios where quick, accurate, and contextually rich responses are needed. However, prospective users must meticulously evaluate its cost implications, especially concerning output token consumption, to ensure it aligns with their budgetary constraints and project requirements.

Scoreboard

Intelligence

14 (#9 / 22 / 1.7B Parameters)

Above average for its class (average 13), demonstrating solid performance in non-reasoning tasks.
Output speed

114 tokens/s

Significantly faster than the average of 76 tokens/s, making it suitable for high-throughput applications.
Input price

$0.11 /M tokens

Considerably higher than the average input price of $0.00, indicating a premium for input processing.
Output price

$0.42 /M tokens

Substantially more expensive than the average output price of $0.00, a key cost driver for this model.
Verbosity signal

6.7M tokens

Generated 6.7M tokens during evaluation, aligning with the average for its class, indicating efficient output.
Provider latency

1.12 seconds

A moderate time to first token, typical for models of this scale on cloud infrastructure.

Technical specifications

Spec Details
Model Family Qwen3
Parameter Count 1.7 Billion
Variant Non-reasoning
Owner Alibaba
License Open
Context Window 32,000 tokens
Input Modality Text
Output Modality Text
Benchmarked Provider Alibaba Cloud
Intelligence Index Score 14 (Above Average)
Output Speed (Median) 114 tokens/s
Latency (TTFT) 1.12 seconds
Blended Price (3:1) $0.19 /M tokens
Input Token Price $0.11 /M tokens
Output Token Price $0.42 /M tokens

What stands out beyond the scoreboard

Where this model wins
  • High-speed text generation for non-reasoning tasks, ideal for rapid content creation.
  • Above-average intelligence for its compact size, delivering quality outputs without heavy resource demands.
  • Suitable for applications requiring quick, concise, and contextually relevant responses.
  • Generous 32k context window allows for processing substantial input prompts.
  • Open license offers flexibility for deployment and integration into various systems.
  • Strong performance on Alibaba Cloud, ensuring optimized operation within their ecosystem.
Where costs sneak up
  • High input token price can significantly inflate costs for verbose prompts or extensive document processing.
  • Significantly expensive output tokens make long-form content generation particularly costly.
  • The blended pricing model ($0.19/M tokens) can mask the true expense of output-heavy use cases.
  • Not ideal for budget-constrained projects with high token volume, especially if output length is unpredictable.
  • Cost-effectiveness diminishes rapidly with increased output length, requiring strict token management.
  • Compared to other open-weight models, its API pricing is on the higher end, demanding careful ROI analysis.

Provider pick

Our benchmarks for Qwen3 1.7B (Non-reasoning) were conducted exclusively on Alibaba Cloud, which is the primary and currently only API provider for this model in our analysis. This provides a clear picture of its performance and cost characteristics within its native environment.

When considering Qwen3 1.7B, the choice of provider is straightforward, as Alibaba Cloud is the direct source. However, understanding the nuances of this specific deployment is crucial for optimizing its use.

Priority Pick Why Tradeoff to accept
Performance Alibaba Cloud Excellent speed and latency, optimized for Qwen3. Costly for high usage, especially output tokens.
Cost-Efficiency Alibaba Cloud Direct access to the model, no third-party markups. High base token prices, particularly for output.
Integration Alibaba Cloud Seamless integration within the Alibaba Cloud ecosystem. Limited to Alibaba's infrastructure and services.
Support & Reliability Alibaba Cloud Direct support from the model's owner. Reliance on a single cloud provider for all operational aspects.

Note: This analysis is based on benchmark data from Alibaba Cloud, the sole API provider evaluated for Qwen3 1.7B (Non-reasoning).

Real workloads cost table

Understanding the real-world cost of Qwen3 1.7B (Non-reasoning) requires translating its per-token pricing into practical scenarios. The high output token cost means that applications generating longer responses will incur significantly higher expenses. Below are estimated costs for various common workloads, assuming usage on Alibaba Cloud.

These examples illustrate how the model's pricing structure impacts different types of interactions, highlighting the importance of optimizing both input and output token counts.

Scenario Input Output What it represents Estimated cost
Scenario Input Output What it represents Estimated cost
Short Q&A 100 tokens 50 tokens Quick factual lookup, simple chatbot response. $0.000011 (input) + $0.000021 (output) = $0.000032
Content Summarization 5,000 tokens 500 tokens Condensing a medium-length article or document. $0.00055 (input) + $0.00021 (output) = $0.00076
Email Draft Generation 200 tokens 300 tokens Composing a standard professional email. $0.000022 (input) + $0.000126 (output) = $0.000148
Chatbot Interaction 500 tokens 150 tokens Multi-turn customer support or interactive dialogue. $0.000055 (input) + $0.000063 (output) = $0.000118
Data Extraction 1,000 tokens 200 tokens Extracting key information from a structured document. $0.00011 (input) + $0.000084 (output) = $0.000194
Creative Short Story 300 tokens 1,000 tokens Generating a short narrative based on a prompt. $0.000033 (input) + $0.00042 (output) = $0.000453

These examples clearly demonstrate that while Qwen3 1.7B (Non-reasoning) is fast and capable, its cost structure heavily penalizes long outputs. Applications that can minimize output tokens will find it more economically viable, whereas those requiring extensive generation will quickly accumulate significant costs.

How to control cost (a practical playbook)

Leveraging Qwen3 1.7B (Non-reasoning) effectively requires a strategic approach to cost management, primarily due to its higher token pricing, especially for output. The following playbook outlines key strategies to maximize its value while keeping expenses in check.

By implementing these practices, developers can harness the model's speed and intelligence without incurring prohibitive costs, ensuring a sustainable and efficient deployment.

Optimize Prompts for Conciseness

Given the $0.11/M input token price, every token in your prompt contributes to the cost. While the 32k context window is generous, it doesn't mean you should fill it unnecessarily. Focus on providing only the essential information needed for the model to generate a high-quality response.

  • Be Direct: Avoid verbose instructions or redundant examples.
  • Pre-process Inputs: Summarize or extract key information from longer documents before feeding them to the model.
  • Use Few-Shot Examples Sparingly: Only include examples that are truly critical for guiding the model's output format or style.
Strict Output Length Control

The $0.42/M output token price is the primary cost driver for Qwen3 1.7B. Controlling the length of the model's responses is paramount to managing expenses.

  • Specify Max Tokens: Always set a max_tokens parameter in your API calls to prevent overly long generations.
  • Request Specific Formats: Ask the model to provide answers in bullet points, short paragraphs, or single sentences when appropriate.
  • Post-process Outputs: Implement logic to truncate or summarize model outputs if they exceed a desired length, even if the model generates more.
Batch Processing for Throughput

While Qwen3 1.7B is fast, batching multiple requests can further improve overall throughput and potentially amortize fixed costs (if any, though less relevant for per-token pricing). This is more about efficiency than direct cost saving per token.

  • Group Similar Requests: If your application handles many similar, independent requests, consider sending them in batches.
  • Asynchronous Processing: Design your application to handle responses asynchronously to maximize concurrent processing.
  • Monitor Latency: Keep an eye on latency for batched requests to ensure performance gains aren't offset by increased processing times.
Strategic Use Cases & A/B Testing

Qwen3 1.7B's strengths lie in speed and above-average intelligence for non-reasoning tasks. It's crucial to deploy it where these attributes provide the most value relative to its cost.

  • Prioritize Speed-Critical Tasks: Use it for real-time applications like chatbots, quick content generation, or interactive tools where immediate responses are key.
  • Avoid Long-Form Content: Unless the value is exceptionally high, steer clear of using it for generating very long articles, books, or extensive reports.
  • A/B Test with Cheaper Alternatives: For less critical or high-volume tasks, A/B test Qwen3 1.7B against more cost-effective models to find the optimal balance of performance and price.

FAQ

What is Qwen3 1.7B (Non-reasoning)?

Qwen3 1.7B (Non-reasoning) is a compact, 1.7 billion parameter language model developed by Alibaba. It is designed for efficient and rapid text generation tasks that do not require complex, multi-step logical reasoning, making it suitable for a wide range of practical applications.

How does its intelligence compare to other models?

The model scores 14 on the Artificial Analysis Intelligence Index, placing it above the average of 13 for comparable models. This indicates a strong capability in understanding and generating coherent, relevant text for its class, even without explicit reasoning functions.

What are its key performance metrics?

Qwen3 1.7B (Non-reasoning) boasts a median output speed of 114 tokens per second, which is significantly faster than the average. Its latency (time to first token) is 1.12 seconds, offering quick initial responses. It also features a substantial 32,000-token context window.

Is Qwen3 1.7B (Non-reasoning) cost-effective?

While it offers strong performance, its pricing is on the higher side, particularly for output tokens ($0.42 per 1M tokens) compared to the average. Its input token price is $0.11 per 1M tokens. Cost-effectiveness largely depends on careful token management and use cases that prioritize speed and concise outputs.

What is its context window size?

Qwen3 1.7B (Non-reasoning) features a generous 32,000-token context window. This allows the model to process and understand lengthy input prompts and maintain context over extended conversations or documents.

Who owns and licenses this model?

The Qwen3 1.7B model is owned by Alibaba. It is released under an open license, providing flexibility for developers and organizations to integrate and utilize it in various applications.

What are typical use cases for this model?

Typical use cases include rapid content generation (e.g., short articles, social media posts), summarization, chatbot responses, data extraction from structured text, and other applications where quick, factual, or creative text outputs are needed without complex reasoning.

How does its speed compare to other models?

At 114 tokens per second, Qwen3 1.7B (Non-reasoning) is notably faster than the average benchmarked speed of 76 tokens per second. This makes it an excellent choice for applications where high throughput and minimal waiting times are critical.


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